Later he spread the lingam out till its surface was ten miles across.

Still it was not large enough for the business; therefore he presently built the globe around it.

Benares is thus the center of the earth.

This is considered an advantage.
It has had a tumultuous history, both materially and spiritually.

It started Brahminically, many ages ago; then by and by Buddha came in recent times 2,500 years ago, and after that it was Buddhist during many centuries--twelve, perhaps--but the Brahmins got the upper hand again, then, and have held it ever since.